ADD vs ADHD: What’s the Difference (and Does It Matter)?
Maybe you’ve heard someone say, "I think I have ADD, not ADHD."
Or maybe you grew up thinking of ADD as something separate — more about spacing out than bouncing off the walls.
Here’s the real deal:
ADD and ADHD are the same condition.
But the way we talk about it has changed — and for good reason.
🧠 What Is ADD?
ADD stands for Attention Deficit Disorder.
It used to describe people who had trouble focusing, organizing, and remembering — without the hyperactivity part.
ADD looked like:
Daydreaming
Zoning out
Forgetfulness
Getting overwhelmed by big tasks
Missing details
Quiet struggle, not obvious disruption
It was mainly used until the early 1990s.
🔄 Why ADD Became ADHD
In 1994, the medical community updated the diagnostic criteria:
Rather than separating the conditions, they recognised that inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity were all part of the same spectrum.
Now, instead of ADD, we use:
ADHD: Predominantly Inattentive Presentation
ADHD: Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation
ADHD: Combined Presentation
So if you identify with the "classic ADD" description — that’s officially inattentive-type ADHD today.
🧩 How Inattentive ADHD Feels
It can feel like:
You want to focus... but your mind drifts
You forget simple tasks even when you care
You get lost in thought mid-conversation
You struggle to finish projects you love
You lose everyday items constantly
You feel exhausted by what “should” be simple
Inattentive ADHD isn't "easier" than hyperactive ADHD — it’s just quieter.
And because it’s less disruptive, it’s often missed — especially in women and girls.
🩺 Diagnosis Today: What You’ll Hear
If you go for an ADHD assessment today, you won’t get diagnosed with ADD.
You’ll be diagnosed with ADHD — Predominantly Inattentive Type, if that fits your symptoms.
Same experience.
Updated language.
💬 So... Does It Matter?
Honestly?
Not really — except when it comes to finding the right support.
If you resonate with old descriptions of ADD, it’s still ADHD.
And recognising that can help you access tools, treatment, and compassion that actually match how your brain works.
Whether you call it ADD or ADHD — your experiences are valid.
(If you need a starter kit to track and support your ADHD, check out this planner bundle.)
💬 Final Thought
Language evolves.
What matters is understanding your brain — and building tools that work with it, not against it.
You deserve support whether your ADHD is loud, quiet, scattered, or focused in bursts.
Focus, gently. 🌿
